I understand that anarchists are against all forms of government and taxation. That is definitely an ideal to strive for
Indeed it IS something to strive for. It's a goal worthy of the effort it will take to achieve it where there are so very many goals that just aren't. So we agree, at least, on this point. I'd call that progress.
but the unfortunate reality is that mankind is nowhere near capable of managing in this way.
Says who? You? Based upon what evidence?
You, like so many "liberty advocates" I've known over the years seem to have a very pessimistic view of mankind. And yet, for every despicaple example of humanity that's willing to violate the rights of their fellows I can show you a hundred, a thousand, likely even ten thousand who are more than willing to respect same, for the most part.
Sure, there are a lot of rough edges, but many of those would simply disappear in the absence of the state and it's constant predations. Would it be paradise? Of course not. But compared to what we have now I absolutely believe that it would almost SEEM like it.
There would certainly still be the occasional sociopath that simply couldn't be reasoned with. But most people wouldn't be like that, once they no longer HAD TO just to survive and provide a decent life for themselves and their loved ones.
Most people just don't give a damn what anyone else is doing, so long as those others aren't hurting them. There would certainly be some hurdles to get over, but that would happen pretty quickly and peacefully IMO.
Also, since a voluntary society clearly IS the most morally justified of the positions before us, we can't just throw those moral principles out the window because they may be difficult to uphold.
When I was young, in teaching me right from wrong, my parents offered this particular bit of wisdom. Upholding moral principles when it's easy doesn't really count for much. Anybody can do that. Upholding those principles when it's difficult, when the odds are against you, when it may actually cost you something significant, THAT'S an expression of true character. We used to, in my day, have a word for that. That word was INTEGRITY. Either you have it or you don't. Do you?
If the goal of the anarchists in this forum is to try and change the hearts and minds of others on this issue, I would say you all are doing a really shitty job of it and you're only hurting your cause.
I'm not trying to "convert" anyone. I realize that I CAN'T convert anyone. Only they can change their own worldviews.
But I'll be damned if I'll just sit back and allow others to advocate violent predation without at least speaking out against it. If it offends some, tough shit. They're the ones claiming some right to initiate force against ME, not the other way around.
